Chapter2 swatted a mosquito for you

Aliya POV

Marcus staggered backward, his hand flying to his head where blood began to trickle from small cuts left by the glass shards. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Marcus's father roared, his face turning red with fury as he stood up from his seat. "How dare you assault my son!"

The tension in the room was electric, crackling like lightning was about to strike.

I could see members of Marcus's pack starting to stand, their chairs scraping loudly against the marble floor.

On the other side of the room, my own family's pack members sensed the hostility immediately.

They rose to their feet in response, forming a protective barrier around me and my parents.

I could smell the sharp scent of adrenaline and aggression filling the air as both sides prepared for confrontation.

"How dare you lay hands on the future Alpha King!" one of Marcus's men snarled, his canines already beginning to extend.

"She's our Luna!" my cousin James shot back, stepping forward with his fists clenched. "You will show her respect!"

More voices joined in from both sides.

We were seconds away from a full confrontation between the two packs.

Sarah gasped audibly from her position near the altar, her perfectly glossed mouth forming a perfect O of surprise.

I had to think fast before this turned into a bloodbath.

"I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, my voice carrying clearly across the stunned room. "There was a huge mosquito on Marcus's face. I was trying to kill it before it bit him!"

The absurd explanation hung in the air for a moment. Marcus's father looked like he wanted to continue his tirade, but Marcus himself stepped forward quickly.

"It's alright, Father," Marcus said, forcing his voice to remain calm and controlled.

"My beautiful bride is just nervous," Marcus continued, managing a strained smile. "Wedding day jitters, you know how it is. I'm not hurt, and I certainly don't blame Aliya for being... protective of me."

Having played the role of the devoted Alpha in the Pack for so long, he could only act the part of the considerate mate now. Besides, he still needed my family's support,he wouldn't dare risk a fallout with me.

My mother rushed forward, her face pale with worry. "Oh sweetheart, are you alright? You look so shaken up."

My father was right behind her, his protective instincts fully activated. "Aliya, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Maybe we should postpone the wedding," my mother suggested gently, taking my hands in hers. "Give you some time to collect yourself."

"No!" Marcus said quickly, then caught himself and softened his tone. "I mean, if Aliya needs a few minutes to freshen up, that's perfectly fine. But there's no need to postpone anything. These things happen." He looked directly at me with what appeared to be loving concern. "Why don't you take a moment to compose yourself, darling? I'll wait for you as long as you need."

But I could hear the underlying message clearly: he didn't want to delay this wedding.

He needed this marriage to secure his political future, and he wasn't about to let a little broken glass change that.

But I couldn't capriciously refuse this wedding.

Not only would Marcus never agree, my parents were completely taken in by Marcus's flawless performance,they were convinced he was the perfect son-in-law and would never allow me to refuse on a whim.

My best option now was to play along with Marcus's show of perfect love, avoid arousing his suspicion, and secretly plan my own scheme.

Even just intertwining fingers with Marcus made my stomach twist, but I still forced a happy smile.

The Aliya who once lay dead on a prison floor is gone. Now, I'm someone who will stop at nothing to safeguard herself and her loved ones.

The pivotal moment was here. Father raised the seal of our family high. According to tradition, I would now transfer it to my husband, symbolically joining our packs under his leadership.

Before Marcus could reach for it, I intercepted the ancient silver emblem, closing my fingers around the cool metal.

"I'll be keeping this," I said, my voice gentle but firm.

As soon as the words left my mouth, the room erupted in stunned whispers. Marcus's eyes widened in surprise, though he quickly schooled his features into an expression of fond bewilderment.

Sarah shot to her feet.

My parents looked at me with a hint of surprise, seeming genuinely happy that their daughter had finally grown up.

"As a fully grown Alpha, it's only right that I take on the responsibility of leading the Pack myself."

Marcus's father rose from his seat, his voice maintaining its cultured tone despite the underlying steel. "Perhaps the bride doesn't understand the tradition. In joined packs, the Alpha male naturally assumes leadership."

Controlling my family's power meant gaining an edge in the Alpha election, and Marcus and his family would never let it slip away.

"I understand perfectly," I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching. "But I am more than capable of leading the Rowanwood pack myself. This is not just for myself, but also to lighten Marcus's burden."

The silence that followed my declaration was deafening. All eyes in the room were locked on me.

I stood tall, the family seal clutched firmly in my hand.

In my past life, I gave up my family's power and was framed by Marcus, ending in a tragic death. This time, I won't hand over what's rightfully mine.

"I will not be relinquishing leadership of the Rowanwood pack," I repeated, my voice unwavering despite the thundering of my heart. "As a fully capable Alpha in my own right, I'll be taking over from my father as pack leader."

Marcus's father stepped forward, his face maintaining its aristocratic composure despite the storm I could see brewing behind his eyes.

With his silver hair perfectly styled and a tailored suit that spoke of wealth and authority, old Stonecreek commanded attention the instant he moved.

"Ridiculous! You just slapped Alpha Marcus in the face a moment ago, publicly humiliating our Stoncreek family, and now you even refuse to hand over the badge. Does your family have any sincerity left in this alliance?!"

Marcus's father's hand shook on his cane as he snapped, "And govern the Pack? What ability does a Luna like you have to govern the Pack?!"